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Annual K-9 Krawl Is Saturday, Oct. 19

The seventh annual K-9 Krawl is set for Saturday, Oct. 19, in parking lot C of the Fairfax County Government Center. Check-in is at 8:30 a.m., police K-9 demonstration, 8:45 a.m.; and walk at 9 a.m.

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Fairfax Author Helps Turning Things Around

The 101 secrets of “Climbing Out of a Rut.”

“I don’t know what to do. I’m stuck in a rut and there’s no way out. It’s hopeless.” This is the complaint that Dr. Laura Hills hears frequently from her coaching clients, workshop participants and readers. According to Hills, who is a personal and professional development author, speaker, and coach for career professionals based in Fairfax, feeling helpless before setbacks “is a problem of epidemic proportions and we rarely talk about it. Too many people feel that their work is dull and unrewarding. The big aspirations and enthusiasm of childhood have long vanished, leaving behind a terrible feeling of loss and emptiness.” Unfortunately, feeling stuck in a job or career that is unfulfilling is often the beginning of a host of other problems, Hills warns, including depression, addiction, divorce, job loss, financial problems and illness.

Teen Safe Driving Program Visits Inova

Representatives from the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program managed by the Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford’s philanthropic arm, stopped by Inova Children's Hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 2 to highlight with leadership and staff some of the main causes of car crashes involving teenagers, including inexperience and distracted driving. Those in attendance also got to hear personal stories from those that work in the trauma unit who regularly witness the outcomes of these types of crashes.

65 New Jobs, $30,000 in Free Sandwiches

New Fairfax Chick-Fil-A awarded 100 guests with free meals for a year.

Fairfax's new Chick-fil-A brought 65 new jobs and a year of free Chick-fil-A meals for 100 adults on Thursday, Sept. 19. The grand opening of the 4516 Fair Knoll Drive off Fair Lakes Parkway restaurant saw 200 people arrive before 6 a.m., hoping to win their year of free meals. There was plenty of free food for the families and guests camping in the grass in front of the building, playing games, resting, reading and dancing. A DJ even arrived to play some music the night prior to the opening.

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United States Air Force Hits the Mark at Paul VI

Not all assemblies are the same, and Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax recently hosted one for the record books. By 11 a.m. on Sept. 25, Air Force trucks and vans had converged to the school’s back parking lot, and AF personnel were busy moving equipment in bags and anvil cases into the school. Meanwhile, PVI’s Music Boosters set out a reception for the 75 arriving Air Force personnel. In the Student Activity Center, mats were laid out, chairs and stands placed, sound system checked and rechecked, and soon it was time. At 1:15, the Air Force Band from Bolling Air Force Base D.C. began an awe-inspiring concert for participating teachers and classes.

Woodson Cavaliers March Along

Woodson High’s homecoming parade was Friday, Oct. 4.

Eye Level Opens in Jermantown Square

Eye Level has opened a new learning center in the Jermantown Square Shopping Plaza at the intersection of Jermantown Road and Lee Highway in Fairfax.

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Fairfax Rebels on Parade

Fairfax High’s homecoming parade was Friday, Oct. 4.

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Fairfax Marching Rebels Win Band Competitions

The school year has barely started and already Fairfax High’s Marching Rebels band is winning top honors for its musicianship and showmanship in competitions against other schools. On Sept. 16 at the Bands of America event in Monroe, Pa., the Rebels came in first in their class and third overall, out of 13 bands.

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Walking to Feed the Hungry

n mutual cooperation, the administrations of three states, including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. all signed proclamations officially declaring the period of Sept. 15-29, 2013 as The Day to Serve and as a time to initiate activities that would assist the poor in our area and combat hunger. One of the more successful activities held was a 3K walk (1.8 miles) on Saturday, Sept. 28, starting from Robinson Secondary School in the Burke area of Fairfax County through the shaded streets and past the manicured yards of the local neighborhood. Food donations from the participants were distributed to the local food banks.

Raising Awareness, Money To Stop Domestic Violence

A woman battered and bruised by her abusive husband leaves one night to escape. Unable to find a safe place to stay, she is forced to go back, time and time again. Across town another woman flees with her children. Not knowing where to go, they sleep in the woods despite freezing temperatures. In a third house, a child pulls the blankets over her head, trying to drown out the sound of yelling and punching down the hall. It’s a sad American truth that one in three women murdered are killed by an intimate partner. In Fairfax County 57 percent.

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South County Football off to 4-1 Start

Stallions dismantle West Springfield, 54-3.

South County scored more than 50 points in each of its four victories this season.

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Community Concert Assists Local Food Banks

On Sunday, Sept. 29 at Fairfax High School, Grammy nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and the Mormon Choir of Washington, D.C. held a concert as part of the annual “Day to Serve” initiative to feed the hungry. A crowd of 800 people came out and donated approximately 1,600 pounds of nonperishable goods. This food will be put to good use by local area food banks that are responding to unprecedented demand from those in need.

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Offering Special Needs Training

Christ Presbyterian Church holds autism workshops for lay people on Oct. 18-19.

Christ Presbyterian Church is offering a free Special Needs Ministry Training Workshop Oct. 18-19, for Sunday School teachers, lay people, and volunteers who minister to children and youth with autism and other conditions. It features presentations from local ministry leaders, DVDs by experts, and training in classroom management. The workshops are at 12410 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. “The goal is to bring awareness to the unique opportunity people have in ministering to families of special needs,” said Pastor Geoff McLean, 40. “We’re looking to build a cadre of folks to support each other in this kind of ministry.” McLean said a lot of people come to church and they find it an unwelcoming place if they have special needs. And because most folks are going through their own individual struggles, he wants to bring them together to be resources for each other. “So if they have an issue, they can talk to others and find ways to connect,” he said.

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Decorating for Fall

Local designers offer suggestions for bringing the harvest into your home.

The colors of autumn are all around as pumpkins and squash fill produce stands and leaves change from green to orange, red and yellow before falling from their branches. Local designers and tastemakers are unveiling home accents that bring the warm hues of the season into the home. Whether using pillows, throws or flowers, adding the colors and textures of fall requires less effort than one might expect. “Emerald green, orange and turquoise are three of the biggest color trends we’re seeing,” said Marcus Browning of European Country Living in Old Town Alexandria. “Throws and pillows are a given, but you can also tie in traditional and modern accessories with rugs, stained glass lamps with modern or intricate designs.” Small trays provide a canvas for highlighting color and adding functionality to a room, says Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors in Bethesda, Md. “Color and pattern are in right now,” she said. “I just purchased the C. Wonder (http://www.cwonder.com) navy and white chevron tray for my home. It adds a punch of color and freshness to a room. Preppy is back in a big way, too, offering lots of patterns.”

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